The wind howled louder as the trio continued along the mountain path.
The trees began to thin, replaced by jagged rocks and steep cliffs. High above, the floating island shimmered faintly, its green glow pulsing like a distant heartbeat.
Arin couldn't take his eyes off it.
"It feels closer now…" he said quietly.
The warmth inside his chest flickered again, stronger than before.
The traveler walked ahead, his staff tapping against the rocky ground.
"The closer we get," he said, "the stronger the emerald's influence becomes. But so does the danger."
Mira tightened her grip on the branch she carried. "You keep saying that… but what exactly are we going to face?"
The traveler did not answer immediately.
Instead, he stopped.
The air suddenly felt… wrong.
Arin felt it too.
That same cold feeling from before.
But this time—
It was stronger.
Much stronger.
"…He's here," Arin whispered.
Mira looked around nervously. "Who?"
The wind died instantly.
Silence.
Then—
A slow clap echoed through the mountains.
Clap… clap… clap…
A figure stepped out from behind a tall rock.
Tall.
Cloaked in darkness.
Eyes glowing red.
"Well done," the man said calmly. "You've made it farther than I expected."
Arin stepped in front of Mira.
"You've been following us."
The man smiled slightly. "Of course. I wanted to see the new Guardian for myself."
The traveler's grip tightened on his staff.
"Stay back," he warned. "This is no ordinary enemy."
The man tilted his head.
"Still protecting the emerald after all these years?" he said, looking at the traveler. "How loyal."
Arin frowned. "You know him?"
The man ignored the question.
Instead, his red eyes locked onto Arin.
"So… you're the one the emerald chose."
Arin felt the power inside him react immediately.
The warmth turned unstable.
Wild.
"What do you want?" Arin asked.
The man's smile widened.
"The Master Emerald."
Mira stepped forward. "You're not getting it!"
The man chuckled softly.
"I wasn't asking."
Suddenly—
Dark energy exploded from his body.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as shadows spread outward like living smoke.
Arin's eyes widened.
"So much power…"
The traveler raised his staff.
"Arin! Focus!"
The dark figure lifted his hand—
And in an instant, he vanished.
"Where did he—?!"
Before Arin could finish—
BOOM!
A powerful удар struck him from the side, sending him crashing into the rocks.
"Arin!" Mira shouted.
Pain shot through his body as he struggled to stand.
Too fast…
The man reappeared behind him.
"You rely too much on raw power," he said coldly. "You have no control."
Arin clenched his fists.
Green energy flickered around him.
"I… won't lose!"
He turned and released a burst of energy.
But—
The man blocked it with one hand.
Effortlessly.
The green light shattered against a wall of darkness.
Arin froze.
"What…?"
The man leaned closer.
"This is the difference between power… and mastery."
Then he raised his hand again—
Darkness gathered rapidly.
"Let me show you despair."
"ARIN!!" Mira screamed.
At that moment—
The traveler slammed his staff into the ground.
A burst of light exploded outward, pushing the dark energy back.
"Now!" he shouted. "Focus your power!"
Arin's heart pounded.
Focus…
He closed his eyes for a split second.
The warmth inside him steadied.
Not wild anymore.
Controlled.
He opened his eyes—
Now glowing brighter than ever.
"I am the Guardian…"
Green energy surged around him, stronger and sharper.
The dark man paused.
"…Interesting."
Arin stepped forward.
"This power… isn't yours to take!"
He thrust his hand forward—
A concentrated beam of green energy shot out, cutting through the darkness and forcing the man backward.
For the first time—
The enemy slid across the ground.
Silence fell.
The man looked at Arin… and smiled.
"Yes… that's better."
Then suddenly—
He stepped back into the shadows.
"This isn't over, Guardian."
His voice echoed as his form faded.
"I'll be waiting… at the emerald."
And just like that—
He disappeared.
The wind returned.
The mountains fell silent once more.
Arin dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.
"I… I did it…"
Mira ran to him. "Arin! Are you okay?!"
He nodded weakly. "Yeah… but that guy…"
The traveler looked toward the mountains, his expression serious.
"That was only a glimpse of what lies ahead."
Arin followed his gaze.
The floating island pulsed again.
Stronger.
Closer.
He clenched his fists.
"Then we keep going."